Zach Hample and your croonies of ballhawk....

[marino13]

... your days of trespassing at YANKEE stadium - HR area on field level - are numbered. If you know him, let him know -- he is being posterized as we speak.

After tonight incident - after ZACH bypass security to get access and when D. Gregorius' 1st HR landed on some other fans' lap - and he jumped on the fan to get the baseball ... the entire incident was caught on TV and security personnel have been updated of his antics.

Good luck from now on.


:)

[DJaeger22]

Just saw it on SportsCenter... the guy who ended up with the ball giving the other guy, i guess Zach, the Mutombo was hilarious haha.

[moosemick14]

http://mlb.mlb.com/cutfour/index.jsp#contentId=45191292

[Samets]

Is there a video online somewhere?

[marino13]

Just saw it on SportsCenter... the guy who ended up with the ball giving the other guy, i guess Zach, the Mutombo was hilarious haha.

The guy that ZACH waved the finger to --- was the boyfriend of the girl that ZACK molest by going after the ball.

He was practically had his hand on her goodies to search for the ball.

Lucky for him that security quickly got him to calm down and escort out of the area before the boyfriend doing some damage.


It is funny when it happened to others, but if that was your girlfriend/daughter being molest (accident or not), it would not be funny after all.

If anything, it would been funnier if Zach got knocked out and the fan picked up the ball and toss it back onto the field. :D

[5toolplayer]

does anyone have the link to both HRs he caught at the game?

[5toolplayer]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_18_arimlb_nyamlb_1&mode=gameday

[nevrdiez34]

http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_fan_caught_two_home_runs_during_yankeesdback s/13437220?linksrc=home_vv_head_13437220

[chakes89]

The headline for that story should say "Annoying tool tooled his way into 2 homerun balls during game"

I mega loathe that guy so much

[marino13]

The headline for that story should say "Annoying tool tooled his way into 2 homerun balls during game"

I mega loathe that guy so much

You and the rest of people who he normally ran OVER to get to the baseballs.


He trespass on the first HR ball - by molesting the female fan while searching for the baseball.

His second HR - actual caught ball - were sponsored.

[commando]

I've always been amazed at how many balls some of these guys get... Sure, you can do some research and figure out the areas where a player is most likely to hit the ball, but still....

There's obviously no "clean" way to grab that many baseballs on such a regular basis.

[marino13]

I've always been amazed at how many balls some of these guys get... Sure, you can do some research and figure out the areas where a player is most likely to hit the ball, but still....

There's obviously no "clean" way to grab that many baseballs on such a regular basis.

He wasnt just grabbing the first baseball - as you can see the replay on the reaction of the boyfriend who tried to go after the ball.

If it was you and your date or with your family - you might not be as calmed when Zach and the rest of the ballhawks barreling through you to get to the baseball.


Now, in relation to this GUU forum, who would pay for just hearsay HR balls anyway? Since Zach is known for having LOTs of fake/batting practice balls to tossed back onto the field instead of actual HR ball?

[sox83cubs84]

I'm surprised that Ballhawknet hasn't commented on this story, especially seeing the criticism of ballhawks in several posts. Dave D., any thoughts?

Dave Miedema

[gingi79]

I think everyone who has ever seen a game has hoped to one day catch a ball, a HR no less! I've been at live games every season since 1985 and I have never come close to getting one. I've sat in every section/area of ballparks and yet it is always at least one full section away from me when it lands in the stands.

This guy has "obtained" in person at MLB games, over 6000 baseballs. I by no means feel entitled to have caught one but hearing one guy has gotten so many seems unfair. At what point have you obtained enough "one of a kind" momentos to allow other people to have that experience?

[chakes89]

Now, in relation to this GUU forum, who would pay for just hearsay HR balls anyway? Since Zach is known for having LOTs of fake/batting practice balls to tossed back onto the field instead of actual HR ball?

No way. That just screams rip off.

The guys on eBay that put their own "stamp" on balls they caught as a type of authentication crack me up too. Like a stamp from so no name really means anything to anyone that knows anything about buying game used stuff. Those guys are almost as big of a joke as this Hample tool.

[MLB~NUT]

He's such a Tool...:mad: Too bad the girls bf, or hubby didnt pound his face like a true new yorker!;) They must be from out of town!:D

[marino13]

He's such a Tool...:mad: Too bad the girls bf, or hubby didnt pound his face like a true new yorker!;) They must be from out of town!:D


The BF was about to knock the shit out of him and you can see on the replay, some one came down to tell him to calm down.

And Zach about to start some shit with the Bleacher Creatures - that was when he was told to step away from the area, as more security come down along with NYPD.

And from the "secondary" source - he was going to give the ball back to the player and in exchange for whatever the player willing to give, or else. I guess he knows he trespassed and he doesnt want to have the ball confiscated, being charged with assault by the young lady, and then be rejected from the stadium (along with being on the banned's list).


The only thing that pissed off the fans in the area, if the ball comes his way and he caught it, it is all good. But the BS antic of running people over, barrelling kids or whoever in the way -- just try to be in the same vicinity of the baseball ... and FREE for all mentality -- grab whatever and if you got lucky with the ball or some young lady body part, it is okay.

[jppopma]

This guy is lucky he didn't get knocked out, no "about to" to it! I'm a nicer guy but get very protective of my family and especially my kids. I think it would just be reactionary to protect them first and think about the ball second.

Maybe its the cop in me, but even if someone came running at me full speed down and aisle...they'd be in some big trouble.

So 6,000 baseballs....and how many injuries, spilled beers/food, ruined clothes to those who paid good money to have those seats? I can tell you that clothing ruined from this tool knocking food onto peoples laps would cost him more than he could earn from selling a baseball. Nice of him to advertise it was him to bring on the lawsuits.

[frikativ54]

No way. That just screams rip off.

The guys on eBay that put their own "stamp" on balls they caught as a type of authentication crack me up too. Like a stamp from so no name really means anything to anyone that knows anything about buying game used stuff. Those guys are almost as big of a joke as this Hample tool.

+1.

There's a reason why I only buy MLB authenticated baseballs. And it's because, with a few exceptions, these are the only foolproof way of getting a ball guaranteed to have been used in a game - and used for a particular play. And, in moderation, it's fun to get some baseballs of a player I like.

As for the concept of ballhawking, give me a break. If you want to do it as an occasional hobby, that's one thing. But how many baseballs do you need to catch? Are Hample, et al. so insecure that they need to catch famous players' baseballs to feel good about themselves?

[sox83cubs84]

No way. That just screams rip off.

The guys on eBay that put their own "stamp" on balls they caught as a type of authentication crack me up too. Like a stamp from so no name really means anything to anyone that knows anything about buying game used stuff. Those guys are almost as big of a joke as this Hample tool.

Not to mention one of those guys charges more than MLB for comparable items. I highly question that certification from a fan...even one well known for practicing the craft and honest...is even as close to being as valuable as the assurances from MLB or one of it's member teams.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Another amusing thing about ballhawking is that some (not all) of its participants develop a sizeable ego based on the fact that they have caught hundreds or thousands of baseballs. Case in point: a regular at Wrigley Field from the 1980s until around 2005. He was trying...on the sly...to get me to sell his BP baseballs in lots of 100 for $1,000. He wanted it to be a secret because he was a major critic before that of Wrigley hawks who sold their catches, and he didn't want the obvious hypocrisy to become apparent.

Anyway, when I told him how comparitively cheaply small lots of BP baseballs were going for on eBay, he decided to put them up himself, individually. The prices were reasonable, but what was amazing was the fact that in both his attempts to sell through me and his eBay listings, he used the selling point that the item was caught by a Wrigley Field Ballhawk :rolleyes: as a reason that the ball should be worth more. The multitude of such egos on the street is a main reason why I haven't gone out there except in passing in the last 5 years.

Dave M.

[Scottiep12]

I am not a frequent poster on this site, but let me echo the sentiments about this guy being a Tool with a capital "T". I attend many games throughout the year at Camden Yards and my eyes roll when I see Zach standing at the gates before they open. I have been run over by him several times, one time almost coming to blows, because of his reckless pursuit of baseballs. He walks around like he's some sort of celebrity and has even has other people tag along with video cameras to document his sorry life. I feel like yelling "You're a grown man, get a real job!" No matter how many baseballs he gets, it's never enough and the money he must spend buying tickets and traveling to all these stadiums can never add up to the waste of time and years he's spent robbing other people of their once-in-a-lifetime moment.

He literally runs at full speed at every single baseball that gets airborne. I have personally seen him run over woman and children and never even show an ounce of remorse for taking a ball from them. Nothing beats seeing the excitement on a kids' face when he/she gets a game ball for the first time and he acts like he deserves it because he's just better at it or more prepared. Well congratulations sir, you beat out an 8 year old for a baseball. Job well done!

For someone so "skilled" at getting baseballs, he shows a total lack of awareness for other human beings. His eyes are up in the air on the ball and will literally run you over without even blinking an eye. I would be happy to see him banned from every major and minor league ballpark in the country, but that would simply expedite his next foray onto the little league fields of America where he streaks across the field for every ball that gets past the parade of little leaguers all chasing the batted ball at the same time. Sadly, he'd come out of the pile of screaming and crying children with his prize raised high above his head and tweeting some exaggerated tale about how he just beat out "nine other seasoned ballhawks" for some kids' first homerun ball. He knows no shame and the videos posted only prove that point.

[xpress34]

I've only met Mr Hample once - at Coors Field a couple of years ago - but he was 'hobbled' at the time... I believe he was in a walking boot.

That said, I did not get to witness his 'antics' firsthand, but I have witnessed them from other so called 'ballhawks'.

One 'ballhawk' in Denver actually kicked my glove when a ball landed in front of me and I covered it as I was leaning down to pick it up. He admitted he was trying to kick it loose because I did not have 'control' of the ball. He's a guy I know too - when I stood up, I politely told him that if he touches me again trying to pursue a ball - or to knock a ball away from me - it will be the last time he uses that appendage for the foreseeable future.

If I was in the presence of Mr Hample 'bearing down' on me in pursuit of a ball, it would not 'almost' come to blows - I would drop him like I would anyone else who has no apparent concern for anyone's safety as he runs like a fool into me.

I do not get into scrums for balls, fight for balls, etc. If they are coming to me, all I expect is a fair chance to catch it cleanly,then it's up for grabs if I miss it - as long as you aren't trying to climb or crawl over me to get to it.

My only 'almost came to blows' instance was last year at Coors Field. Not even a hit ball which makes it worse. I was behind the visitors dugout trying to get Big Mac to sign a book. He couldn't because of the crowd and he offers to throw up a ball to me. Everyone moves, he throws the ball and a douchbag to my left steps towards me and reaches over with his glove and snags the ball. He didn't touch me, just stole a ball that Mac intended for me... I had a few choice words with him before i was warned about my language by Coors Field usher who said nothing about his actions. I then turned towards him and told him he should run and he didn't want to be there for me to repeat myself. He took my advice. Mac made it up the next day by signing multiple items for me.

[marino13]

I am not a frequent poster on this site, but let me echo the sentiments about this guy being a Tool with a capital "T". I attend many games throughout the year at Camden Yards and my eyes roll when I see Zach standing at the gates before they open. I have been run over by him several times, one time almost coming to blows, because of his reckless pursuit of baseballs. He walks around like he's some sort of celebrity and has even has other people tag along with video cameras to document his sorry life. I feel like yelling "You're a grown man, get a real job!" No matter how many baseballs he gets, it's never enough and the money he must spend buying tickets and traveling to all these stadiums can never add up to the waste of time and years he's spent robbing other people of their once-in-a-lifetime moment.

He literally runs at full speed at every single baseball that gets airborne. I have personally seen him run over woman and children and never even show an ounce of remorse for taking a ball from them. Nothing beats seeing the excitement on a kids' face when he/she gets a game ball for the first time and he acts like he deserves it because he's just better at it or more prepared. Well congratulations sir, you beat out an 8 year old for a baseball. Job well done!

For someone so "skilled" at getting baseballs, he shows a total lack of awareness for other human beings. His eyes are up in the air on the ball and will literally run you over without even blinking an eye. I would be happy to see him banned from every major and minor league ballpark in the country, but that would simply expedite his next foray onto the little league fields of America where he streaks across the field for every ball that gets past the parade of little leaguers all chasing the batted ball at the same time. Sadly, he'd come out of the pile of screaming and crying children with his prize raised high above his head and tweeting some exaggerated tale about how he just beat out "nine other seasoned ballhawks" for some kids' first homerun ball. He knows no shame and the videos posted only prove that point.


Just a quick update from "secondary" source at Yankee stadium.

His picture is posted at the stadium's security main office. HR area's security, team leader and supervisor has been informed of his antics along with his croonies.

His and their days of STANDING and watching the game from ANYWHERE within the section is over. And if they see him, he will be warned in ADVANCE along with ZERO tolerance - Ejection will be swift and quick.

There have been complaints and reports filing against at the stadium and they are taking it very seriously.

[Gyro123]

Please note that I have no dog in this fight.

That being said it is most definitely beginning to sound
more like sour grapes/ jealously on the part of DanMarino13, rather than
genuine concern for the well being of fellow fans.

[jbean023]

Kcco!!

[marino13]

Please note that I have no dog in this fight.

That being said it is most definitely beginning to sound
more like sour grapes/ jealously on the part of DanMarino13, rather than
genuine concern for the well being of fellow fans.


I could care less about the $5 baseball.

I have more than ENOUGH signed game used items and they are ALL authenticated as such from MLB/Steinersports.

If anything, I would say REGRET. I would definitely REGRET my decision of beating the pulp out of him if Zach and his croonies EVER touch my families in pursuit of a baseball. And old school way of saying "break the arm and it will never do no wrong again".

[rdeversole]

Please note that I have no dog in this fight.

That being said it is most definitely beginning to sound
more like sour grapes/ jealously on the part of DanMarino13, rather than
genuine concern for the well being of fellow fans.

I was thinking the same thing.

[tony433433]

My two cents?

I ballhawk. I am not nearly as aggressive as what is described in this thread and also have a different "code" that I follow. I have about 120 baseballs and have never taken any for granted or feel entitled to any. I just show up to games and BP with a glove and try to go home with a souvenir. With that being said I also know that being 29 years old means I am towards the bottom of the list for people that should go home with a ball. If a child is around me, I will not get in their way, I will not come between them and their family. However, if I do see that the kid (and father or other family figure) is having a hard time getting a ball, I will often try to shout towards a player and get their attention and point out the kid.

Where I AM different is that most ballhawks would then step in, catch the ball and give it to the kid. I do not want to be such a major part of this awesome memory, instead I step back and watch the kid (and sometimes his/her parent) catch the ball. Sure, I could inflate my "balls caught" total, but why inflate a number that means nothing other than to myself? Why include myself in this kid's memory of their first baseball?

So please, not all "ballhawks" are bad. Some of them are, but many times they are misunderstood. I am not speaking up for Zack (yes, with a K, not an H), because I have never met him and was not there. I am speaking up for myself and the couple of other "ballhawks" I have met, since we are not like what you have described. I enjoy the thrill of catching a baseball - batting practice and games - I'll never sell one and never think I am better than someone because I have caught X number of balls. I'll be the first to admit, I am making up for all the times I didn't catch a ball when I was younger, the times I was inched out or didn't bring a glove to a game - it was a dream of mine to obtain a MLB baseball, and I am still living that dream.

Thanks,
Tony

xpress34 - I will be coming to Denver this year, hoping to score ONE commemorative baseball to put in my mancave. Please, do not fear, I will not be kicking your glove or taking your space away, but if you are at the game, I'd definitely like to stop and say hi! (Plus, I haven't seen Cuddy in nearly 2 years; us Minnesotans miss him.)

[marino13]

My two cents?

I ballhawk. I am not nearly as aggressive as what is described in this thread and also have a different "code" that I follow. I have about 120 baseballs and have never taken any for granted or feel entitled to any. I just show up to games and BP with a glove and try to go home with a souvenir. With that being said I also know that being 29 years old means I am towards the bottom of the list for people that should go home with a ball. If a child is around me, I will not get in their way, I will not come between them and their family. However, if I do see that the kid (and father or other family figure) is having a hard time getting a ball, I will often try to shout towards a player and get their attention and point out the kid.

Where I AM different is that most ballhawks would then step in, catch the ball and give it to the kid. I do not want to be such a major part of this awesome memory, instead I step back and watch the kid (and sometimes his/her parent) catch the ball. Sure, I could inflate my "balls caught" total, but why inflate a number that means nothing other than to myself? Why include myself in this kid's memory of their first baseball?

So please, not all "ballhawks" are bad. Some of them are, but many times they are misunderstood. I am not speaking up for Zack (yes, with a K, not an H), because I have never met him and was not there. I am speaking up for myself and the couple of other "ballhawks" I have met, since we are not like what you have described. I enjoy the thrill of catching a baseball - batting practice and games - I'll never sell one and never think I am better than someone because I have caught X number of balls. I'll be the first to admit, I am making up for all the times I didn't catch a ball when I was younger, the times I was inched out or didn't bring a glove to a game - it was a dream of mine to obtain a MLB baseball, and I am still living that dream.

Thanks,
Tony

xpress34 - I will be coming to Denver this year, hoping to score ONE commemorative baseball to put in my mancave. Please, do not fear, I will not be kicking your glove or taking your space away, but if you are at the game, I'd definitely like to stop and say hi! (Plus, I haven't seen Cuddy in nearly 2 years; us Minnesotans miss him.)


You, sir, are NOT a ballhawk.

You are just like the rest of us who happened to love the feeling of catching a baseball during BP - which is the only reason why anyone would show up 2 hours prior to first pitch. If the baseball is within your five-foot vicinity, then it is all fair game. But if you have to do a 50 meter dash and could care less who surrounding you, then that is another story.

I have met plenty of fans who caught BP baseballs and gave them to family with toddlers. Their reaction of receiving a baseball is priceless. There is NO entitlement in the kids' eyes when you hand them the ball. But on the other hands, there are parents who shout everything under the sun at the players for a baseball, and when the players reject the notion -- here comes obscenity!



And for people who think I am envy/jealous/etc -- why would I want to be OCD/ADD just to catch thousands of USELESS baseballs? And yes they ARE useless in the eyes of the GAME USED universe.

[xpress34]

xpress34 - I will be coming to Denver this year, hoping to score ONE commemorative baseball to put in my mancave. Please, do not fear, I will not be kicking your glove or taking your space away, but if you are at the game, I'd definitely like to stop and say hi! (Plus, I haven't seen Cuddy in nearly 2 years; us Minnesotans miss him.)

Tony -

Drop me a PM with your eMail and let me know when you'll be in Denver. Even if you don't catch a ball at BP or during a game, the Game Used area does sell GU balls from the games.

-Smitty

[tony433433]

You, sir, are NOT a ballhawk.

You are just like the rest of us who happened to love the feeling of catching a baseball during BP - which is the only reason why anyone would show up 2 hours prior to first pitch. If the baseball is within your five-foot vicinity, then it is all fair game. But if you have to do a 50 meter dash and could care less who surrounding you, then that is another story.

I have met plenty of fans who caught BP baseballs and gave them to family with toddlers. Their reaction of receiving a baseball is priceless. There is NO entitlement in the kids' eyes when you hand them the ball. But on the other hands, there are parents who shout everything under the sun at the players for a baseball, and when the players reject the notion -- here comes obscenity!



And for people who think I am envy/jealous/etc -- why would I want to be OCD/ADD just to catch thousands of USELESS baseballs? And yes they ARE useless in the eyes of the GAME USED universe.

I couldn't agree more, the baseballs caught in BP are useless in the eyes of the Game Used community. But is Zack actually selling these BP balls or even his game HR catches? It's his prerogative to go out and catch all these balls if he wants to; if he starts to get violent or pull unethical shenanigans, then I think we can all have a problem.

I know that this is only one side of the story, but here is Zack's opinion on what happened that night:
http://zackhample.mlblogs.com/2013/04/20/41813-at-yankee-stadium/

As for jealous? Heck yes I'm jealous of Zack. I am not jealous of his ball count, but I am jealous of the fact that he is being sponsored and flown to every major league stadium this year sounds like a dream "job" (if you can even call it a job). Oh well, in a few decades I hope to accomplish the "every stadium" feat.

[marino13]

The picture of Zack and Didi holding onto the baseball, is the same picture on the wall inside Yankee stadium's security office.

It is true when people say "There is no bad thing as bad publicity".

But in this case, "a simple act of returning the item to rightful owner, is NOT what it is crack up to be."

[sox83cubs84]

I've only met Mr Hample once - at Coors Field a couple of years ago - but he was 'hobbled' at the time... I believe he was in a walking boot.

That said, I did not get to witness his 'antics' firsthand, but I have witnessed them from other so called 'ballhawks'.

One 'ballhawk' in Denver actually kicked my glove when a ball landed in front of me and I covered it as I was leaning down to pick it up. He admitted he was trying to kick it loose because I did not have 'control' of the ball. He's a guy I know too - when I stood up, I politely told him that if he touches me again trying to pursue a ball - or to knock a ball away from me - it will be the last time he uses that appendage for the foreseeable future.

If I was in the presence of Mr Hample 'bearing down' on me in pursuit of a ball, it would not 'almost' come to blows - I would drop him like I would anyone else who has no apparent concern for anyone's safety as he runs like a fool into me.

I do not get into scrums for balls, fight for balls, etc. If they are coming to me, all I expect is a fair chance to catch it cleanly,then it's up for grabs if I miss it - as long as you aren't trying to climb or crawl over me to get to it.

My only 'almost came to blows' instance was last year at Coors Field. Not even a hit ball which makes it worse. I was behind the visitors dugout trying to get Big Mac to sign a book. He couldn't because of the crowd and he offers to throw up a ball to me. Everyone moves, he throws the ball and a douchbag to my left steps towards me and reaches over with his glove and snags the ball. He didn't touch me, just stole a ball that Mac intended for me... I had a few choice words with him before i was warned about my language by Coors Field usher who said nothing about his actions. I then turned towards him and told him he should run and he didn't want to be there for me to repeat myself. He took my advice. Mac made it up the next day by signing multiple items for me.

It happens outside Wrigley Field, too...one very into himself ballhawk actually ran into a guy riding his bike on Waveland Avenue at full speed (him, not the bike) pursuing a BP home run.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Those posters who are not Zack Hample or ballhawk fans in general may be amused (or nauseated) that he was a phone guest on one ESPN show multiple times about 10 years ago.

I don't remember the host's name, but he called himself the Sports Doctor and had a early/mid 2000s weekend overnight show on ESPN radio. He'd invite Hample on as a guest 3 or 4 times a year.:eek: